Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, director general of the MBRSC, said: “KhalifaSat is a unique Earth observation satellite which aims to serve humanity.

“This confirms that the strategy adopted by MBRSC to prepare and train Emirati scientists and engineers is successful, and we are on the right track to turn Dubai into a global hub for space technology.”

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of the MBRSC said the launch of KhalifaSat is an important step towards achieving the UAE’s space strategy.

This is an important milestone for our country, an achievement made possible because our leadership supports Emirati youth and encourages them to excel in the fields of innovation and technological development. pic.twitter.com/GVlJs6Z9Ai

The UAE Space Agency is planning to launch two satellites this year, the Dubai Media Office reported earlier this year.

A further two launches were planned over the next three years bringing the organisation’s total satellites to 12 by 2020.

The UAE has revealed a series of space projects as it prepares to send a probe to Mars by 2020.

In 2017, the country launched its first astronaut programme with the goal of sending four Emiratis into space in the next three years.

Two astronauts from the Emirati corps will be trained in Russia – including one primary and one backup. One of them will be joining a crew of Russian commander and an American astronaut in Soyuz MS-12 spaceflight which is planned to launch to International Space Station (ISS) in April 2019.